As Graziano Di Prima marries the love of his life Giada Lini at his old local church in the south of Sicily, it's not only the happiest moment of his life but an emotional homecoming for the Strictly Come Dancing pro.
Waiting outside in the sun-soaked piazza of Riesi, a huge crowd of locals gather to congratulate the newlyweds, and get a glimpse of the young boy they had watched grow up and leave town to follow his dancing dreams aged 17.
Following a 90-minute traditional Catholic service that had moved the couple to tears, the breathtaking pair emerge hand-in-hand on a white carpet framed by flower arches in Sicilian colours - white, lemon yellow and blue.
"I tried to be strong all day but I couldn't stop crying because of the love I feel for Giada," says Graziano. "When I saw her arrive in the horse and carriage I started to cry. When she walked down the aisle towards me, I cried more.
"My mum was holding my elbow, squeezing it for support. It was more than I expected. I must have told her how beautiful she looked 50 or 60 times. The fact we were in Sicily, my town, after two years of postponing the wedding with all our family and our friends to witness it was a feeling so strong. I was watching everything around me as though I was 10 years old again when I used to live here, but I'm a man now and I've married Giada.
"Since we met each other eight years ago, I knew she was The One I fell in love instantly. She is the most extraordinary woman I have ever met."
Giada adds, "I was crying too. I kept telling myself 'stay calm', then I saw Graziano there and I'd dreamt about this day for such a long time. I felt like a princess, especially with the carriage. It was a beautiful thing."
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 25, 2022-Ausgabe von OK! UK.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 25, 2022-Ausgabe von OK! UK.
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